Thomas Ryder enlisted in the army possibly as late as January 1918, and joined the 12th Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers. They were sent quickly to reinforce the troops holding the trenches near St Quentin, facing the Hindenburg Line and expecting an attack in March. The German offensive forced them to retreat across the old Somme battle-field. When they were relieved, they were attacked again in April in the second German Spring offensive. In August came the start of the Advance to Victory. The opening contest was for the Outtersterne Ridge which was captured on the 16th August. They advanced to the Lys and then to Merville. However, one of the casualties was Private Thomas Ryder who was killed on the 28th August 1918.